Quarantine Ordered at County Jail After Stomach Flu Outbreak

Quarantine will remain in place until further notice

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A quarantine was ordered at Cook County Jail after several detainees came down with the stomach flu.

A quarantine was ordered Wednesday at a division of Cook County Jail after several detainees came down with the stomach flu.

County Sheriff Tom Dart said many of the affected detainees in Division 2 work in the jail’s kitchen and help transport meals. Until the quarantine is lifted, those people will be under limited movement, Dart said, and cannot receive visitors.

The quarantine will remain in place until further notice, he said.

The division’s living and dining quarters as well as showers, toilets and high-touch surface areas are being disinfected. Meanwhile staff is being closely monitored to make sure exposure of the flu is limited to detainees.

"Other concerns include preparing for an outbreak within staff and adding detainees to an already crowded jail," Dart's office said in a statement. "Both of these concerns have potential to add overtime costs. Because of these concerns, additional measures are being taken at the jail to prevent the virus from spreading further."